Nissan Micra Forum — a $10,000 economy car for Canada (U.S. too?)

by MetroMPG on February 23, 2014

Nissan has delivered a huge surprise in a small package: the Micra hatchback is returning to Canadian showrooms with a starting price under $10,000. That makes it the least expensive new car, priced a whopping $2,000 below its closest competitors.

We’re happy to see another player in the economy car segment, so EcoModder is launching a new forum at www.Micra-Forum.com.

The returning Micra will move into top place (or perhaps tie for top place) as the most efficient model in Nissan’s lineup (not counting the all electric Leaf). Official fuel economy ratings haven’t been released, but the numbers are going to be extremely close to the Versa sedan which uses the same 1.6L drivetrain.Â EstimatesÂ are:

Not surprisingly, Nissan is promoting the car’s low price and fun-to-drive factor ahead of its fuel economy.

$10,000 Micra coming to the U.S.?

Nissan says there are no plans to sell the car in the U.S. — however, the company also said that about Canada when Micra production began at its Mexican plant in 2010.Â And just six months ago, U.S. auto journalists were invited to test drive a Tenessee-plated Micra (with a supercharged 1.2L, 3-cylinder engine).Â At least one reviewer declared it a lot of fun for “an $8000 car.” (See Micra video review.) Other sources point out that since Canada’s safety & emissions regulations are practically identical to the U.S., it may be more a question of marketing rather than regulatory hurdles keeping it from being sold in the States.Â Interestingly, a lightly camouflaged New Micra was spotted driving in Los Angeles recently.